Distributing mechanism of typographical composing and casting machines.



C. MUEHLEISEN,

DISTRIBUTING MECHANISM OF TYPOGRAPHICAL COMPOSING AND CASTING MACHINES. APPLICATION FILED MAYIZ. I914.

1,136,550, Patented Apr. 20, 1915.

THE NORRIS PETERS CO4. PHOTC-LITHQ. WASHINGTON. D. C.

' tributing UNITED; STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CARL MUEIILEISEN, OF BERLIN, GERMANY, ASSIGNOR TO MERGENTI-IALER LINO'IYPE COIVIEANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 20*, 1915.

Application filed May 12, 1914. Serial No. 837,981.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, CARL MnnHLnIsEN, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at 23 Chausseestrasse, Berlin, N. 4, in the Empire of Germany, have invented new and useful Improvements in the Dis Mechanism of Typographical Composing and Casting Machines, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to the distributing mechanism of typographical composing and casting machines such as those known commercially under the trade name Linotype and kindred machines in which .the successively leading matrices of a line to be distributed are separated from the following matrices in a so-called separator box pre' paratory to being transferred to the distributor rail. In such machines it is already known to use two separating fingers reciprecated alternately in a vertical direction, which, in the manner of an escapement at each up-and down-movement release a lead ing matrix and allow it to move onward away from the following matrices as shown, for example, in the U. S. patent to Southwell No. 792,472 dated June 13th, 1905.

The invention differs from the known devices in this respect that the two separating fingers are carried by separate and independently mounted rocking levers which are connected together in such a manner as to cause them to move alternately up and down, one being operated by the other. By these means, as compared with existing arrangements, a greater exactness in the movement is obtained and the wear caused by the constant up and down movement of the separator fingers in their guides in such existing arrangements is entirely avoided, because the pivoting of the rocking levers renders the provision of guiding surfaces for them entirely unnecessary.

A further improvement embodied in the present-invention is the provision of means or devices which prevent the ears of the matrices from being worn when the latter are sliding through the separator box.

The drawing shows a constructionalform of the inventive idea.

Figure 1 is a front view of the separator box; Fig. 2 a plan of Fig. 1; Fig. 8 shows a matrix engaged with distributer screws and Fig. 4 is a side elevation as seen from the right hand side of Fig. 1 showing the separator fingers, and Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation as viewed substantially on the line 55 of Fig. 1. g

The matrices a, (or, in a machine employing simultaneously a plurality of different fonts of matrices, the matrices distributed according to font) drop into the separator box Z). Plates 0 on the front and back walls of the box form guide channels (Z along which the ears or lugs of the matrices travel, the said matrices entering the separator box at the top in the position in which the matrix shown in full lines is represented in Fig. 1, forming into an inclined row, one closely following another as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, all as shown and described in the Southwell patent above referred to. In order to prevent the lower ears of the matrices from being damaged when these latter fall into the separator box, ribs 6 (Figs. 1 and 5) are provided which engage with the foot of each matrix between its lower cars which latter do not therefore suffer as they ordinarily do through violently contacting with the guiding rails.

To separate the leading matrices successively from the advancing row, and to deliver them separately to the distributer rail, two fingers f and g are provided. Accord ing to the present invention these fingers are secured to rocking levers h and i which are engaged with each other by intermeshing gear teeth 72, so that when one of these levers ascends the other one descends. These levers are actuated in the known manner through the cam operated roller m.

In the foot of each matrix is a notch 02 with an inclined upper surface. While the separating finger 9 holds back the row of advancing matrices, the finger f ascends, so that its upper end enters the notch in the then leading matrix. At the same time the finger g descends and releases the leading matrix which is pushed away from the following matrices by the finger f engaging with the above-named inclined surface in the foot of the matrix, so that the latter then slides down on to the rails 0 on which it is supported by its upper cars. In this position the matrix is engaged with the distributer screw 79 (Fig. 3) which propel it along the distributer rail 9. When the finger f descends, the finger g ascends and pre vents the other matrices from reaching the rails 0, until the next descent and. ascent of the fingers g and f respectively. The finger f is adjustable relatively to the rocking lever 2' by reason of the fact that it is connected to the latter by a pivot 7" about which it can be angularly adjusted by two set screws 8. The finger g is adjusted with relation to the finger f by means of thewellknown set screw 2? acting on .the lever i which is connected to the lever 72, carrying said finger.

In order that the f and 9 shall be as nearly vertical as pos; sible, thefulcra of the levers h and 2' are situated in the same horizontal plane as thatwhich contains the upper edges of the fingers f and 9 when the latter are in their mid positions.

In order to be able to easily remove possible obstructions in the separator box, the guide or block 0 carrying the ribs 6 is capable of being turned upon a pivot pin u, which connects them to the walls of the separator box. In this manner one is able, after having detached the distributer box or the distributer rail from the machine, to

swin the uide 0 about the oivotsu thus Y b b 3 securing easy access to the matrices in the interior of the said box.

Having described by invention, I declare that what I claim and desire to; secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination with two matrix separator fingers, of two separate and independently mounted rocking levers carrying said finmovement of the fingers ers and means for rockin said levers with a projecting rib to engage-the feet of the matrices at points between their vertical edges, for the purpose described.

4. The separator box I) having a passage therethrough-for the matrices, and provided with a guide forming one of the walls of said passage, said guide being pivotally connected to the separator box so as to be movable at will from its operative position to give access to the passage.

In a mechanism of the class described, the combinatlon of a d1str1buter,two alterof the matrices thereto, and two independ ently mounted rocking levers carrying said fingers.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

CARL MUEHLEISEN. Witnesses:

HENRY, HAsrER,

'WOLDEMAR, HAUPT.

Copies of this patent may be, obtained for five cents each, by addressing the f Commissioner of Patents,

1 Washingtoml). 0.

nately acting fingers to control the delivery 

